Chromebooks aren't just great for schools; they're great for students as well. The laptops are faster than comparable Windows PCs, and the combination of Chrome and Android apps should handle just about every classroom assignment. The browser-centric nature of Chrome OS also encourages students to save their work in Google Docs or Office Online, so they're less likely to lose important files.

If you want to buy a Chromebook for school, this guide should help you find the best model for your needs and budget.

Best for portability: ASUS Chromebook Flip 101PA

If portability is the highest priority, and you're not going to be doing anything more complicated than typing up a book report while streaming music, the 10.1-inch Chromebook Flip 101PA is a great option. Its Rockchip "OP1" RK3399 processor is decently fast, and there's enough memory (4GB) for most tasks. The 101PA is a 2-in-1 laptop, so you can flip around the screen and use it like a tablet.

As far as connectivity, you get two USB Type-C ports, a standard USB Type-A connector, a headphone/microphone jack, and a microSD card slot. The single USB Type-A port is definitely helpful in the classroom, where most equipment is still using the legacy connector. If you need to copy files from a flash drive or plug in a mouse, you won't have to use an adapter.

The main disadvantage to the 101PA is the screen. Not only is it rather small at 10.1 inches, it also has a resolution of only 1280x800. That means you don't get much screen space to work with. It's acceptable for single-window tasks, like typing a paper or editing a presentation, but split-screen productivity is difficult.

Still, if portability is your main concern, the 101PA is a well-built Chromebook that also makes for a great Android tablet. You can find our full review of it here.

Best for productivity: Acer Chromebook 15 (2017)

If you regularly do split-screen multi-tasking or need as much screen space as possible, a tiny 10-inch Chromebook isn't gonna cut it. The 2017 Acer Chromebook 15 is perhaps the best model when it comes to productivity, thanks to its large display and great battery life.

In our full review, Jordan said, "While the display may have dull colors and awkward viewing angles, the larger screen size, good performance, and outstanding battery life help set the Chromebook 15 as a strong competitor in the mid-range territory."

Best for durability: ASUS Chromebook Flip C213SA

All the Chromebooks on this list are built well, but if you need something stronger, the Asus Flip C213SA is probably the best option. It features a spill-resistant keyboard, a 360-degree display hinge, and a Mil STD durable construction. Asus primary sells these to schools, so they're designed to survive drops and spills from careless students.

The main downside to this Chromebook is the processor. The Intel Celeron N3350 is a rebranded Atom CPU, making this the least-powerful laptop on this list. It will still handle basic productivity, especially since Chrome OS is optimized for low-end hardware, but don't expect fantastic performance.

Because of the slower processor and slightly high price of ~$300, this is only the best Chromebook if you value durability above all else. It's not a bad product by any means, but the above-mentioned Asus C101PA has slightly better hardware at a lower price.

Best for big budgets: Google Pixelbook

The Google Pixelbook is undeniably the best Chromebook you can buy right now. The build quality is excellent, it's lightning fast, the battery life is great, and the keyboard is extremely good. The major downside used to be the price, but the base model now costs $250 less than it did a year ago.

Specs

Processor

Intel Core i5-7Y57 or Core i7-7Y75

RAM

8 or 16GB

Storage

128, 256, or 512GB

Display

12.3" 2400x1600 (235 ppi) LCD

Battery

41Whr, advertised "up to 10 hours"

Connectivity

802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0

Ports

2 x USB Type-C, 1x headphone/microphone combo jack

Dimensions

11.4" x 8.7" x 0.4"

Price

$750+

There are three configurations available. The $750 base model has an Intel Core i5 CPU with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage. The $1,199 version has the same CPU and RAM, but with 256GB of storage. The most expensive model costs $1,649 and has a Core i7, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

It's worth pointing out that the Pixelbook has no standard USB ports, only USB Type-C. Much like with the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros, you'll need a dongle to use most existing accessories.

In summary, if you can afford it, the Pixelbook is an excellent laptop. A new model may be on the way, so if you can hold off on buying a high-end Chromebook until October, you might have more options.